The Monkey - Mascot Extraordinaire

"The Monkey" represents nothing more than the fun and playful atmosphere of the camps. Over the years, we have taught thousands of people how to master the English language, but we have always tried to have a good time while doing this.

When classes are on, things are serious and we're now arguably the best school in the country. When classes are over we enjoy having fun as much as the students do. We spend an incredible amount of time and energy organizing activities, excursions, projects, contests, sports teams and everything imaginable to have fun and make everyone feel at home.

Years ago the students collectively decided that a monkey would be the perfect animal to represent the fun and playful character of our schools. Today you can witness this by checking our Facebook Page and the Sol Camps website.

Elvis Mrizi

I am in charge of the Junior Programs here at International House. My job is to make sure that your Canadian experience is an unforgettable one, one that you learn and have fun.

I have worked with and for children for more than 8 years including the non-profit sector. My bachelors degree in teaching and post graduate background in human resource management have enabled me to understand both the child's point of view as well as ensuring a good management of the program. I like sports, music, and traveling.

I look forward to welcoming all of you at our programs. If you have any questions about the junior programs, please contact me at: juniors{at}sol-group.net.

Valerie Adam

Valerie has taught students from Kindergarten to grade 12 for over seven years. She holds both a Special Education Specialist and Guidance Specialist from OISE at theUniversity of Toronto.

Before teaching, Valerie worked in Communications and Journalism. She has held positions at the House of Commons in Ottawa and at CHUM Television. Her articles and photos have been published in local and national magazines and newspapers.

Valerie was the Director of Studies for the St. Mike’s Teenage Adventure Program in the summer of 2011. She is presently working on helping to establish a program that will bring students overseas to learn new languages. She is bilingual in French and English and is learning Italian and Spanish.

In her spare time, Valerie enjoys cooking, photography, alpine skiing, yoga, golf and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Kristen L. Martin

Kristen loves working with campers of all ages and introducing them to all of the fun, exciting, and educational things Toronto has to offer! She has worked with camp programs for the past 10 years and thoroughly enjoyed her first experience with International House last summer where she worked as the Head Activities Coordinator of the Junior program. By the time camp begins this summer Kristen will hold a Degree in Education from OISE at the University of Toronto and have her TESOL certification.

Kristen’s job is to make a camper’s time at IH fun, fantastic, and unforgettable! By planning talent shows, sport days, dances, crafts, culture nights, games, trips to Toronto’s top attractions and so much more, she is sure your camper will have an amazing trip to Toronto and make lots of friends.

In her spare time Kristen enjoys playing soccer (football), badminton and singing and dancing. She can’t wait to meet you this summer and make many more international friends!

Shannon Parrett

Shannon is the Campus Coordinator for the Children Adventure Program at International House. Her job is to oversee the program and all of its components as a whole in order to ensure a successful, unique and unforgettable summer for everyone involved.

Shannon has worked with children through summer camps and teaching for the past 10 years. Most recently she has taught English in Taiwan, was our Head Activity Coordinator for the 2011 Teen Adventure Program, and participated in our 2010 summer as an English Teacher and an Activity Coordinator. Shannon studied Psychology at York University and has received intensive training in TEFL and ESL education.

In her spare time you can find Shannon under the sea scuba diving, playing in Asia’s wakeboarding parks or deep in the powder of Canada’s mountains snowboarding.

Emily

Hello everyone! I had the pleasure of working for IH's TAP program last summer and am looking forward to spending this summer as Housing Coordinator at Glendon Campus! I am currently finishing my Master's in English literature at Queen's University and completed my undergraduate degree in English at the University of Toronto. The most memorable year of my education, however, was the exchange year I spent in Spain. Since then I have felt part of an international community of travellers and am thrilled that my work life reflects my passion for traveling and languages. After this summer I hope to become a qualified English teacher and continue traveling!

Ola Kulesza

Ola enjoys all of her past camp experiences but especially enjoys the diversity and excitement provided by the international students at IH! With six years of experience working with kids, Ola has gained knowledge through instructing, camp counseling and leadership positions. As a Sociology student at Ryerson University, Ola thrives on the unique experience at IH and the ability to discover the city of Toronto.

This summer, Ola will be working as the Head Activities Coordinator. Her goal for this role is to provide the most unique and exciting program. Ola's love for sports, crafts, volunteering and exploring will all be combined into the program she creates for the campers. Ola hopes the program will allow campers to discover new things about themselves and to make new friends, just like she has.

In her spare time, Ola loves to swim, read, play volleyball and think up new camp games! Ola cannot wait for the summer and the true Canadian camp experience to begin!

Todd Van Ymeren

Todd is responsible for organizing the academic component of the program, ensuring effective implementation of summer curriculum, managing teaching staff, and liaising with other senior program coordinators.

He specialized in sociocultural anthropology at the University of Western Ontario and has worked in the ESL industry since 2002 in London and Vancouver. His relationship with International House began in 2008 and he has worked at both Toronto summer campuses – University of Toronto, St. Michael’s College and York University, Glendon College. In 2010, Todd designed the curriculum for the Teenage Adventure Program’s journalism elective, which provides students an opportunity to publish a weekly paper/online newsletter (TAP Times) for parents, agencies, staff, and students. The children’s program will incorporate this elective into its curriculum, allowing students to create their first edition of the CAP Times!

In his spare time, Todd enjoys travelling, photography, and watching foreign films.